Writing in The Australian newspaper Henry Ergas used the term ‘neo-idiocy.’
Now this is, I think, a fairly new, and still very rare expression.
On its own ‘idiocy means: ‘(1) a foolish action or foolish behaviour; or (2) the state of being an idiot or extremely retarded mentally’ (Chambers Dictionary) or ‘extreme foolishness or stupidity’ (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
The prefix ‘neo-’ comes from Ancient Greek and means ‘new.’
So, what is this ‘new idiocy’ that’s being referred to?
Henry Ergas is talking about the way the internet—and especially social media—has had the impact of undermining our democracy.
If you are old enough to remember what things were like before the internet, you’ll remember political debates and discussions in which people tried to persuade each.
They produced what they said was supporting evidence and then argued in a logical and reasoned way to the conclusion they had reached.
This is what seems to have disappeared—to be replaced by this ‘neo-idiocy.’
My own explanation is that people these days seem not to understand the difference between the two As—Assertion and Argument.
Politics used to be something we had arguments about.
Nowadays people don’t argue, don’t examine evidence, don’t consider logic—they shout assertions at each other.
When Grace Tame (not a good example I know) shouts angrily ‘From Gadigal to Gaza globalize the intifada’ she is making an assertion.
Now, she may have carefully thought-out arguments to support her angry shout—but, on the other hand, she may not.
Many people who attend demonstrations appear to have little or no understanding—just simple-minded assertions.
They shout, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free’—but if you ask them, ‘Which river?’ and ‘Which sea?’ they have no idea.
They are succumbed to the neo-idiocy of unthinking assertion.
Globalizing the intifada means globalizing violence against Jews—which (sadly) has already happened (remember Bondi?)
But if you abandon reasoned argument and have nothing but empty assertions you don’t understand this.
You have fallen into the ‘neo-idiocy’ that pervades our society.
Very sad.
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